Travel Questions

I have several air trips coming up this summer... some long enough that I want to have my CPAP stuff with me. Any tips on travel? Do you carry the machine on... in lieu perhaps of your computer? Do you check it and hope it gets to where you are going? I know the bottom of the machine is marked, "Medical Equipment", but does that keep the TSA folks at the screening line warm and fuzzy if you do want to carry it on?

Then when you get to a relative's house... do you announce the process or just plug it in and hope no one notices? And what about all the routine cleaning and distilled water... the list goes on. Any advice or stories would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Ed Badenell

If you do a search on travel, you will find hundreds of posts related to it.

You might try viewtopic.php?f=1&t=39444&p=345257&hili ... sa#p345257

The short answer is for travel in the U.S., your XPAP machine does not count against your carry-on limitation. Yes, you will have to remove it from the carry case and TSA will want to 'swab' it for explosives. But every time I have traveled, they act like they've seen it all before and it is just routine. Don't worry about water with you. Pick some up whereever you are going.

Most importantly, take an extension cord as part of your XPAP kit. You never will know when the available plug is across the room. I've had to use it both on cruise ships, hotels, and friend's houses. It's permanently in my carry case.

I let my hosts know about it as I usually need space on a night table or similiar to set up. It's no worse for them that you plugging in a radio, unless they are sleeping in the same room with you. Then a slightly longer explaination might be necessary.

Relax and enjoy your trip. I find my biggest hassle is the TSA security checkpoint as I usually have multiple bags plus the removing of shoes, coats, pocktes, etc. Once past that, it us usually clear sailing.

John

Thanks John... should have thought of that... too new to the board!

Lots of good info there.

Later,

Ed

I just got back from Thailand a couple of weeks ago. I removed it from the case in Atlanta but they otherwise ignored it. LAX swabbed it both ways. The international airports ignored it. They didn't even request it be taken out like a laptop. The only time I was questioned about having too many carry ons (I had the CPAP, a roll on and a small backpack) was when I was getting my boarding pass in LAX for my Atlanta flight. I just showed the Medical Equipment tag I had on it and nothing more was said.